Centrifugal separator



July 16, 1929. MO'LB CH 1,721,230

GENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR Fned'oct. 19. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 2/ I Eli; N

. f E 6 f9 20 I hi0 7 if v Jul 16, 1929.

E. 8. MGLBACH CENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR 4 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1928E/la Patented July 16, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELIAS BERNHARD nonnacrr, or rnnnmxssran, NORWAY.

CENTRIEUGAL SEPARATOR.

Application filed October 19, 1928, Serial No. 313,597, and in Norway0ctober 29, 1927.

This invention relates broadly to the art of separating by centrifugalforce and more particularly to the process of separating in acentrifugal separator of the type Where the mass or fluid to beseparated is fed to a rotatable drum, containing a stack of conicallyshaped discs which serve to divide the fluid space of the drum into anumber of annular separating compartments.

lVhen operating, the drum containing the fluid and the discs are rotatedat a suitable speed, and the separation of the fluid ormass will takeplace in the annular layer between each pair of discs, the? heavierparticles due to the centrifugal force, tending to move radiallyoutwards, until they strike the inner surface of the disc on the outsideof the layer, whereafter they will followthis surface to the dischargechannel, while the lighter particles will occupy the place closer to thecentre of rotation and by means of the feeding pressure be forced toenter rotating discs, thereby facilitating separa-.

tion by avoiding eddies in the fluid on account of the feeding.

Another object if this invention is to provide means whereby theseparation cantake place as the fluid or mass is fed from the annularspace surrounding the stack of discs towards the centre of rotation,means being provided, whereby fractions of different specific gravityasthe fluid is forced towards thev centre of the stackwill,j be

divided into individual layers and discharged through separate channels.

' ment being such that the annular space between main discs andintermediate discs or between intermediate discs each is'incommunlcation with separate feeding or discharge channels which arearranged in communication with the corresponding spaces between anyother pair of main discs Another object of this invention is to providea separator of the abovetype with means for utilizing the kinetic energyof the fractions in order to convey them and also to provide a certainback pressure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thedrawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the inventionas examplesonly in connection with the description below.

In the drawings, p

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view on the line-IIII of Fig. 2, showinga centrifugal separator according to the invention.

I Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line I I of Fig. 1, this sectionbeing such that the left half of the'figure is a sectionihrough a maindisc and the right half a corresponding section through an intermediatedisc, which-when stacked in the separator-will be placed below the firstmentioned main disc.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a combination of a main disc andan intermediate disc on the line III-III of 2.-

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the lineV'-V of. Fig. 5, similar to Fig.1, but of a modified emb odiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line IVIV of Fig. 4. similar toFig. 2-.

Fig. 6 is a detail.

Fig. 7 is another detail.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 9 is an end view of Fig. 8.

With reference to Figs. 1-3, the centrifugal separator consists ofa'base 1, suitable for mounting a vertical shaft 2, provided withsuitable driving means, such as a pulley or the like 3, the upper end 4ofthe shaft 1 being' eonically shaped and fitting into a correspondingrecess 5, centrally located in the bottom of the separating 'drum 6.Inside the drum 6, the separating main discs 7 and the intermediatediscs '8 are alternately stacked.

These discs are shaped in such a manner that when properly arranged,they will form a body, comprising a central opening 9, annularseparating spaces 10, 11, 12,'vertical channels 13. communicating withthe spaces 11, and radial apertures 14:, connnunicating with the centralopening 9. The diameter of the larger discs 7 is such that an annularvertical space 15 will be left between the circumference of the discsand the side walls of the drum 6.

The stack of discs in the separator is held in place by means of a drumcover 16, secured to the drum by means of a nut 17. Between the cover lGand the drum 6 suitable packing is provided, serving to make the jointtight. The cover is so constructed that when the nut 17 is drawn uptightly, the upper part of the cover will press against the stack ofdiscs with a sutiicient pressure to hold them together. It is furtherprovided with channels'and openings in such a manner that the abovementioned channels and openings formed by the discs will be continuedthrough the cover and communicate with collecting chambers 18 and. 19,arranged above the cover, from which pipes 20 and 21 lead out into theopen.

The cover is further provided with a num ber of openings 22, connectingthe annular space between the top of the top disc 7 and the insideconical part of the cover with the collecting compartment 19.

The operation of the separator is as follows: I

Fluid or mass is fed to the central space 9 from a faucet or the like 23and passes through the apertures 14 into the space 12- betwcen the upperside of the intermediate discs 8 and the lower side of the discs 7,while the revolving parts of the separator is being rotated.

The diameter of the disc 8 is chosen such that when the fluid reachesthe edge of these discs, it will enter the separating space 10 at aneutral distance from the centre of rotation, the neutral zone meaningthe zone or stratum which divides theoretically between the heavy andthe light particles. The fluid or mass will now be separated into twofractions, the heavier one moving out towards the circumference of thediscs and passing into the annular space 15 between the discs and thedrum. From here it will continue through the openings 22 in the coverand out into the collecting chamber 19 and will be discharged throughthe pipe 21, while the lighter fraction will pass in under the discs 8and be carried through the channels 13 .to the collectingxchamber 18'andpass out of the pipe 20.

In the drawing, the stack of discs-is shown built up of units, eachconsisting of one main disc .7 and a small disc 8 includingthe necessaryspacing collars, all made in one piece. This, of course, is notnecessary, as the stack of discs may also be built up of a number ofseparate large and small discs with individual spacers between.

The embodiment illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, (3 and 7 differs "from thatjust described mainly therein that the fluid or mass to be treated ispassing inwardly during the centrifugal separating action. Inthis casethe discs 8 and 7 are stacked on a central hollow pipelike member orcore 25.

Between the flange 27 formed on the lower end of the core and the bottomof thedrum 6 an opening 28 is formed.

The individual discs 7 and 8 are provided with a number of holes 29,arranged at a distance from the centre and a central hole 30 (Fig. 5),the latter one having such a diameter that it will fit snugly over thepipe 25.

When stacking the discs, one or more of the discs 8 is placed betweeneach pair of main discs 7 in such a'manner that the holes 29 will alignto form vertical channels 31 and 32. A star shaped spacer 33-(Fig't' 6)provided withholes 34 and a central hole 35 which will fit over the pipe25 is placed be tween each pair of discs and is arranged in such a waythat one of the said channels 31 and 32 alternately will go through oneof the holes 34 and be open to the space between adjacent discs, therebyconstituting individual channels, communicating with correspondingspaces between each pair of main discs '7.

If more than one intermediate disc 8 is used between each pair of maindiscs 7 (say for instance two), then another type of spacer 33 as shownin Fig. 7 may be used, whereby three separate groups of channels will beformed, each group communicating withcorresponding spaces between eachpair of main discs 7.

The distances from the centre to the said channels can be different. p

This separator will work in the following manner:

\Vhile the separator is being rotated at a suitable speed, fluid or massis fed from the faucet and. will pass through the central hole 36 andfollow the bottom of the drum 6 radially in all directions. Due to theforce of gravity, the centrifugal force or/and artificial pressure'available'in the feed-line the fluid will be forced to pass up alongthe vertical inside walls of the drum and further towards the centre ofrotation of the discs.

The separation of the fluid will take place between the main discs,while it is forced towards the centre of rotation, the heavier particleswill tend to follow the inside of the discs 7 and the lighter-puss willoccupy the space further away from' the discs. As the fluid reaches theedge of the disc or discs 8, it will be divided up into two or moredifferent layers of different gravity, each layer being carried awaythrough corre sponding groups of channels-31 and 32; the heavierfraction will go through the channels 31 and the lighter ones throughthe channel 32..

When more than one intermediate disc 8' is used, the fluid willbe'dividcd up into a greater number of fractions of different gravity.

' In F igs..8 and 9 is shown a horizontal separator, where the principleof separation described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is appliedin combination with a system to some extent already known for utilizingthe kinetic energy of the fractions and to establish a back pressurewhich will tend to force the lighter fraction against the centrifugalforce towards the centre of rotation. The principle described below canalsowith suitable modificationsbe applied to the two forms of furnishedwith a coupling unit or the like 43, suitable to connect the shaft tosome driving means, not'shown.

.The openings in the stator 44, through which the shaft extends, areclosed by means of bushings 45 and 46. On the right hand side of thestator an annular feeding chamber 47 is arranged in connection wit-h thefeed pipe 48. Surrounding the middle part of the stator is a spiral pumphouse 49, which communicates with the discharge pipe50. On the left handside of the stator another spiral pump house 51 is arranged,communicating with a discharge pipe 52.

The rotor consists of a casing or drum 53, keyed to the shaft 42, andprovided with feeding channels 54 and'discharge channels 55, the firstones in connection with the feeding chamber 47 and .the lattercommunicating with the pump house 51 by means of an annular chamber 56.In the circumference of the last mentioned chamber 56, a number of pumpblades 57 are fastened to the rotor. These serve to aid the pump actionand to establish a suction which will aid the lighter fraction in itsway towards the centre of rotation, -as will later on be described.-Similar blades 58 are arranged in that part of the rotor casing whichterminates in the pump house 49, located in the middle section of thestator and serve to aid'the pump action of the heavier fraction.

Main and intermediate separating discs 59 and 60 are alternatelyarranged on the shaft 42 inside the casing 53, in such a manner thatthey will rotate with the shaft. ,These discsas explained in connectionwith Figs. 4, 5 and 6are provided with holes in such a manner that whenassembled, two groups of channels will be formed, the first groupcommunicating with the feeding channels 54 and with all the spacesbetween the right hand side of the intermediate discs 60 and theadjacent main between the left hand side of the intermediate discs 60and .the adjacent main discs 59.

Inlet and discharge pipes 63, 64 and 65 are further provided inconnection with the stator, which serve to furnish water, air, etc.

to the space between the rotor and the stator casings 53 and 54, whendesired.

The operation of this separator-is as follows: The fluid to be separatedis fed through the pipe 48, chamber 47, channels 54 and 61 and will passout at the right hand side of the discs 60 and enter the separatingspace between two discs 59 at a suitable, neutral distance from thecentre of rotation. The heavier fraction will pass radially outwardsalong intermediate discs 60, and this fraction will pass through thechannels 62 and 55 and the annular chambers 56 to the pump house casing51. The rotating blades 57, arranged in the circumference of the chamber56, will tend to aidthe lighter fraction to enter the pump housing andfurther pass out through the discharge pipe 52.

In order to regulate the density of each of the fractions, chokevalves-not shownmay be arranged in one or both of the discharge pipes. I

This invention is not limited to the details of construction described,said description only serving to make the invention more clearlyunderstood, as many changes can be made in the details of constructionand in the arrangement of the individual parts.

Claims y 1. A centrifugal separator, comprising a rotatable drum,driving means for said drum, a cover for said drum having feeding anddischarge openings, a plurality of conically shaped main separatingdiscs in said drum 1 forming narrow annular separating spaces, saiddiscs having apertures forming channels for feeding the mass or fluidfrom the feeding hole in said drum to the space between each pair ofdiscs, and means whereby said mass or fluid is guided radially outwardsto a neutral zone in the space between each pair of space, and said maindiscs having apertures and intermediate discs forming discharge channelscommunicating with each space on the corresponding side of saidintermediate discs and said main discs.

2. A centrifugal separator, comprising a rotatable drum, driving meansfor said drum, a cover for said drum having feeding and dischargeopenings, a feeding pipe extending from said cover into said drum, aflange on the lower end of said pipe, main separating discs stacked onsaid pipe, intermediate discs of smaller diameter than said main discsstacked on said pipe between said main discs,

spacers stacked on said pipe between each ofsaid discs, apertures insaid discs, and said spacers, forming channels substantially parallel tothe axis of rotation and cut-away portions on said spacers connectingcorresponding spaces between the individual discs between each pair ofmain discs to corresponding channels substantially parallel to the axisof'rotation.

3. A centrifugal separator, comprising a rotatable drum, a statorsurrounding said drum and having feedingand discharge openings, aplurality of conically shaped main separating discs in said drum,forming narrow annular separating spaces, said-discs havingapertures-therein forming channels for feeding the mass or fluid fromthe feeding hole in said drum to the space between each pair of discs,and means whereby said mass or fluid is guided radially outwards to aneutral zone in the space between each pair of said discs, said meanscomprising intermediate discs of smaller diameter than the abovementioned discs, the. space on the side of each intermediate disc andthe adjacent main disc betweeneach pair of main discs forming part ofsaid feeding channels to the separating space, said main discs andintermediate discs having apertures therein forming discharge channels,communicating with each space on the corresponding side of saidintermediate discs and said main discs between each pair of main discs,said separating spaces at the circumference communicating with annularspaces around said stator and said drum, comprising paddle-blades in itscircumference to aid the heavier fraction to enter the annular spaces,whereby which establishes a back pressure to aid the lighted fraction tomove towards the centre of rotation.

4.'A centrifugal separator, comprising a rotatable drug havingfeedingand discharge openlngs therein,- a plurality of conically a pumpaction is securedshaped main separating discs in said drum, formingnarrow annular separating spaces, said discs having apertures formingchannels for feeding the mass or fluid fromthe feeding hole in said drumto the space between each pair of discs, and means whereby said mass orfluid is guided radially outwards to a neutral Zone in the space betweeneach pair of said discs, said means comprising intermediate discs ofsmaller diameter than the above wards the centre of rotation and theheavier I fractions to be raised to a level above the head of thefeeding line.

5. A centrifugal separator, comprising a rotatable drum, driving meansfor said drum, a cover for said drum having feeding and dischargeopenings, a plurality of conically shaped main separating discs in saiddrum providingnarrow annular separating spaces, conically shapedintermediate separating discs of smaller outside diameter between eachpair of said main separating discs, dividing the inner portion of eachof said annular separating spaces into a plurality of annular passagesoutwardly communicating with the outer portion of said narrow annularseparating spaces between each pair of main discs, spacers between saidmain and said intermediate discs, a central axial channel in the drum,said channel and said spacers having radial apertures therein and saiddiscs having axial apertures forming a plurality of annu larly disposedchannels around said central channel, one of the said passages betweeneach pair of main discs inwardly communicating with said central axialchannel through said radial apertures, and the remainder of saidpassages between, each pair of main discs communicating with separategroups of said annularly disposed channels around said central channel,substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I- have signed my

